Background & Aims
Neuropathic pain is a major cause of deteriorating the quality of life of patients because the degree of pain is more severe than other types of pain, and it is known as a typical refractory chronic pain because the prevalence of the causative disease is long and is not easily treated. ZEB1 is known to increase expression in microglia after nerve damage, and previous studies have confirmed a decrease in pain using miRNA. Although studies on the change in the expression of ZEB1 in the SNL rat model are limited, a recent study has reported an increase in the expression of ZEB1 in the SNL rat model. In addition, this increase is associated with the occurrence of neuropathic pain, and it can be thought that inhibition of ZEB1 can cause a decrease in pain in the SNL rat model. Therefore, in this study, we intend to develop a new treatment method targeting ZEB1-SiRNA targeting ZEB1 by proving whether pain is reduced after administration using PLGA nanoparticles.
Methods
Neuropathic pain was induced through spinal nerve ligation (SNL). ZEB1-SiRNA encapsulated in PLGA nanoparticles was administered intrathecally to the SNL rat model on the 7th postoperative day (POD). Pain levels were quantitatively assessed employing the Von Frey filament test. On the 21 POD, after euthanizing the subjects and dissecting their spinal cord tissue, an analysis was conducted to determine the expression levels of ZEB1.
Results
The reduction in ZEB1 expression within astrocytes was observed following the administration of ZEB1-SiRNA in the SNL model. A subsequent decrease in pain was noted starting from the third day post-injection, with the analgesic effect enduring for approximately two weeks.
Conclusions
Downregulation of ZEB1 has been found to be efficacious in pain modulation. Administration of ZEB1-SiRNA via PLGA nanoparticles has demonstrated considerable potential in the alleviation of neuropathic pain. This strategy opens avenues for the exploration of novel mechanisms for neuropathic pain management.
References
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Presenting Author
Eunhye Park
Poster Authors
Topics
- Models: Chronic Pain - Neuropathic